European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 31, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse 325 pounds and dead set on fitting in a recent study published in the new England journal of Medicine did no to Tell 325-Pound Sally Smith and fat people like her anything they did no to know already. Research on 370 overweight people showed women Are less Likely to marry earn less Money and receive less education than their Normal weight counterparts. It showed fat men also suffering the effects of discrimination but to a lesser degree. \ according to it Smith who Heads a Sacramento calif., based organization to promote acceptance of obesity fat people a Are denied jobs promotions benefits and equal pay. A receive less encouragement to enter College. A have More trouble obtaining insurance coverage and consequently health care. A Are denied housing membership to health clubs and opportunities to adopt children. A receive improper medical treatment because diagnostic equipment and procedures cannot accommodate their size. A despite the prevalence of obesity in the United states discrimination against fat people is rampant a Smith says. A every Day in so Many ways fat people Are Given a loud and Clear message that we done to fit in that there a no place for us in Smith tried for 20 years to fit in through a series of failed dieting attempts before she determined that she would never be a thin woman. It Niv my in. I. It f k i i. S4s Dave Casoy Sally Smith a the average fat person has an incredible amount of internalized a i finally came to the conclusion that it might be easier to change my society a perception of fat people and change the Way my society treats fat people than to it is to change the size of my body a Smith says. Her resolve led to her involvement in the National association to Advance fat acceptance. The organization founded nearly 25 years ago supports the belief that fat people Ca live full Happy healthy lives without losing weight. Its programs seek to enrich the lives of obese people through Public education research advocacy and Nakfa helps fat people understand that their Worth As human beings is not dependent on the size of their bodies Quot Smith says. A you done to have to lose weight in Ord to gain Smith says being fat can be physically and emotionally isolating. Quot the average fat person has an incredible amount of internalized they can to go to movie Heaters or sit in restaurant Booths. And travel at Best is uncomfortable she says. A people stare at us make derogatory remarks about our weight and our character and harass us a Smith says. Nakfa seeks to liberate obese people from the shame they re made to feel. The organization s 50 chapters fuel a fat subculture through support group meetings and social events plus dating and pen pal programs. It also works to end discrimination against fat people and encourage scientific research hot on How to make fat people thin but How to make them healthy. Or. John Krai surgery professor at the state University of new York in Brooklyn Calls the goal of reducing the social suffering of fat people but he cautions against the danger of organizations such As Nakfa a not to the serious hazards of obesity. Belgian or. Can Paul Desly Pyrc of the University clinic in Ghent agrees with Krai and Points not Only to health considerations but also Quality of life. Not All overweight people have a higher risk of coronary disease but everywhere they turn they face such practical problems As finding clothes to fit he says. Perhaps those who claim they re fat and Happy arc not being totally honest with themselves. A quite a lot of people with weight problems Are not Happy at All a Desly Pyrc says. More dialogue is needed Between fat people and obesity researchers Smith says noting that often the experts Deal Only with obese subjects who arc miserable. Quot they done to quite know How to Deal with an pm powered fat person who does no to apologize for her size a Smith says. But a a they re going to have to Rosemary Sawyer the Battle of the bulge reaches Belgium Miep Bekkers Van Den Hoven knows what it feels like to be a fat person in a world that idolizes the thin. She also knows what it feels like to be handicapped. In 1978, the Antwerp Belgium native was in an aircraft Accident that put her in a wheelchair for six months. During that period Bekkers Van Den i oven said she fell accepted by society relieved from the stares and prejudice she had Felt As a fit fat person. A being obese creates so much More guilt a Bekkers Van Den Hoven says. A without this experience i would never have started the organizations roots reach Back to 1985 when Bekkers Van Den Hoven got together with four friends to discuss their experiences with being fat and losing weight. In eight years the Humble Coffee klatch beginnings grew organization that last month sponsored an International Congress in Antwerp drawing 800 guests from 36 countries. The five women organized their first symposium months after they started meeting. They were astonished when the event Drew 2,000 people far More than the 350 they a expected. After conferences in 1087 and .19.89, Obe Sitas a amps Dave Casey models display big sizes at a fashion show during the International Congress on obesity management. Members determined they a exhausted the Pool of local speakers and began planning for their International gathering. Result scientists lectures were followed by testimony from people who be had personal experience. Between discussions on such topics As bulimia appetite control and childhood obesity Lay people and professionals could browse through promotional displays on diet foods exercise equipment and weighty reduction programs that lined the Walls of the conference Hall lobby. Nearby an Art exhibit displayed paintings of obese subjects. Models paraded across a stage to show off a clothing line for heavy men and women. Food displays listed ingredients calories fats proteins and carbohydrates. Beauticians stood ready to make fat and thin look their glamorous Best. Registrants paid about $285 to attend the three Day event at the University of Antwerp. The conference co sponsored by the world health organization Cost about 10 million belgian francs $285,000 to put on. Or. Elisabet Helsing nutritionist with the world health organization in Copenhagen Denmark Calls the Congress a a fare occasion for those with problems to get together with the experts. A the health care Community has a bad track record of listening to patients a i leasing says. Perhaps the conference will provide a Chance for the professionals to begin following the example of the business Community which has Learned Quot the customer is always a Rosemary Sawyer cd Toboh 31, 1333 3uv0ay Page 5
